Allergies

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What Is Allergies

An Allergy is an increased sensitivity to a foreign substance known as an allergen. People can have food allergies, pet allergies, drug, allergies, mold or pollen allergies, and many more. Someone without Allergies will react if something harmful like bacteria harms the immune system. The immune systems of people who have Allergies are hard at work and unable to prevent reactions to allergens such as mold or dust. If someone is allergic to something, he/she can have an allergic reaction, which can mild or life-threatening.

Signs Of Allergies

Someone can have an allergic reaction if he/she breathes in, touches, or ingests the allergen. An allergic reaction, which can sometimes lead to a more sever allergy attack, is the immune system's response to encountering the allergen. Weather plays a crucial role in triggering Allergy symptoms. Common symptoms are listed below.

Sneezing
Nasal Congestion
Itchy/Watery Eyes
Itchy Throat
Stomach Ache
Coughing
Hives
Fatigue
Itchy Skin
Skin Rash

What Causes Allergies

Allergies are caused by an imbalanced immune system. The immune system mistakes a normally harmless substance as a dangerous intruder. Once this happens, antibodies are produced to look out for that substance again. Upon exposure to this allergen again, the antibodies release chemicals such as histamine, which cause the allergy symptoms. Depending on the person, airborne allergens, certain foods, insect stings, or medications can cause an allergic reaction. Other causes are listed below.

Touching, Breathing in, or Ingesting the Allergen
Getting Stung by and insect (primarily a bee or wasp)
Eating Certain Foods (such as peanuts, shellfish, eggs and milk, soy, or wheat)
Release of Histamine
Imbalanced Immune System
Weakened Immune System

Dherbs Approach...adjusting your diet is always key!

Natural Remedies

One of the best things you can do to fight off allergies is to combat them before they occur. A great way to do this is using a Neti Pot or a saline cleanse. By squirting the saline solution into your nose daily, you rinse away the pollen or airborne allergens that you are allergic to. This can lessen nasal congestion or runny noses.
Taking herbal supplements such as butterbur can help prevent pollen or mold allergies. This herb, which doesn't have any associated drowsiness, has a great track record for being a great antihistamine. Similarly, cooking with turmeric can help because it acts as a decongestant. The properties in turmeric help ward off colds and allergy symptoms.
Taking probiotics or consuming foods like kombucha, kimchi, or kefir, all of which are high in probiotics, can help digestion. You can also consume raw, locally made honey, so that your body might be able to adapt to the allergens in the area. Think of this like a natural allergy shot.
It is important to keep your environment clean. Eliminating dust, mold, or pollen from your home can help reduce your allergy symptoms. Also, using all natural, chemical-free cleaning products can help you avoid allergic reactions you might have to chemicals in regular cleaning products.
A change in diet can always benefit your immune system. Abstaining from foods that you are allergic to, in addition to fast food, alcohol, salt, and sugar, can be beneficial for your health.

Things you should eat